- "Oftentimes, it's okay to be a bit idealistic. That helps build confidence in the Pokemon as well as yourself. If you never dream big, you'll never be big. For Ash and Dawn, they train with the bigger picture in mind, instilling as much as confidence in their Pokemon as possible when they train, and this is the only way they know.—Brock to Aaron on Ash's and Dawn's training methods
Dawn dodges a bullet and manages to registered in time for the contest. Thus, all is now well, and the gang take the time to polish their technique at the last minute.
This chapter contains examples of:
- Extra-ore-dinary: Aaron owns all Steel type pokemon or those with the potential to become Steel, like his Riolu.
- Hero of Another Story: This chapter reveals Aaron started his journey back in Kanto.
- Filler: Word of God pretty much says this chapter is filler to set up for the contest proper.
- Final Boss Preview: Zigzags. Aaron's Magneton suggests they try out Ash's and Dawn's training method later when they can't see, so the latter can't get a full grasp of their prowess so early on. Aaron agrees, but this ignores the little sparring match between Magneton and Scizor.
- Foreshadowing: Brock's "If you never dream big, you'll never be big" quote will wind up being more significant as it pertains to Aaron later down the road.
- Renaissance Man: Aaron regularly participates in both Contests and Gym Battles, prompting Dawn to compare him to Nando.
- Nothing Personal: Aaron is all for being a nice mentor to Dawn, but there's a still competition to be won.Aaron: "Nothing personal, Dawn. It's just business and competition."
- Snark-to-Snark Combat: Dawn's Piplup and Aarons' Prinplup take little time getting down each other's throats.
- The Stoic: Aaron's Magneton. It's quiet, a 'mon of few words with a little dry wit to it, and precautious.
- Technician Versus Performer: Aaron is the Technician to Ash and Dawn's Performer. Their preferred training methods reveal their dichotomies quite easily. Aaron lets his Pokemon spar on their own and offers insight to make improvements. Ash and Dawn would rather call out moves and go with the flow.
